Polly Gibbons - Is It Me (2017) [DSD128 + Hi-Res FLAC]

Multi-talented, critically acclaimed British jazz/blues singer/songwriter Polly Gibbons who earned a prestigious BBC Jazz Award Nomination in 2006, has been a staple of the UK Jazz Scene since the mid-2000s. Following sold-out tours in the U.K. opening for George Benson and Gladys Knight, including two acclaimed performances at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, singer/songwriter Polly Gibbons offers us a new, 12-track collection which fully embraces the inspiring, expansive array of American jazz, soul and blues.

Polly’s especially excited by the buoyant seven-piece horn section, which enhances both her R&B and big band swing vibes. The piano and most of the arranging are shared by long time-collaborator James Pearson (whom she performs with regularly at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Club in London, where he is musical director), and Tamir Hendelman, the Israeli born, L.A. based jazz pianist to the stars, including Barbra Streisand and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

British songstress Polly Gibbons made her U.S. debut back in 2015 with the well received and seriously-acclaimed Many Faces of Love (Resonance, 2015), and now presents the highly-anticipated and swinging Is It Me…? . Touching on some R&B, pop-styled songs as well as including music from The Great American Songbook, this is one musical experience that turns out to be bold, brassy and brilliant. A staple of the UK jazz scene since the mid-2000s, the beautiful Ms. Gibbons is armed with an exciting vocal instrument perfect for interpreting the music of the R&B and jazz genres which, she does so splendidly here.

The music begins in splashy style with a rousing ensemble interpretation of Thomas Dolby's 1988 "Ability to Swing" followed by the spicy R&B-like Gibbons original, "You Can't Just…" as the singer reaches the high notes like a blues vocalist on steroids. Gone but not forgotten, Gary McFarland left us the shinning "Sack Full of Dreams" where the singer takes to the heart in one emotional rendition of a beautiful ballad that Gibbons states "I've loved it for ages," a song expressing hope that will never get old. The leader serves a slice of Americana with her treatment of the standard "Wild is the Wind," as arranged by the great Bill Cunliffe, turns out to be the soft spot of the recording demonstrating this singer's range from swing to mellow. Gibbons remembers The Great American Songbook with a lively version of the Depression-era spirit-lifting "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams," coming across like a saucy gyrating blues singer at her best. In addition, with the accompaniment of trumpeter Willie Murillo and the full ensemble, Gibbons voices a delicious rendition of Duke Ellington's "I Let a Song Go Out of My Head." One of the more memorable songs of the set has to be Anthony Newley's classic "Pure Imagination," from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory where the vocalist displays her appreciable chops on one inspiring song. The album features one live track as a bonus with the soulfully swinging "Don't Be on The Outside" where guitarist Graham Dechter performs a dazzling solo as the leader takes the high notes with ease. A highly engaging and entertaining session of song on the very impressive Is It Me…? Asking a question with a firm and resounding "yes," it is her, Polly Gibbons, a British jazz and Blues singer with a vocal gift on superb display here.

Tracklist:

01 - The Ability to Swing
02 - You Can't Just
03 - Sack Full of Dreams
04 - Wrap Your troubles in Dreams
05 - Wild Is the Wind
06 - Basin Street Blues
07 - Midnight Prayer
08 - Is It Me…?
09 - Pure Imagination
10 - Dr. Feelgood
11 - I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
12 - Don't Be on the Outside

Produced by George Klabin & Mary Ann Topper.
Recorded & Mixed by George Klabin & Frank Gala.

This album was mastered using our 2xHD proprietary system. In order to achieve the most accurate reproduction of the original recording we tailor our process specifically for each project, using a selection from our pool of state-of-the-art audiophile components and connectors. The process begins with a transfer to analog from the original 24bits/96kHz resolution master, using cutting edge D/A converters. The analog signal is then sent through a hi-end tube pre-amplifier before being recorded directly in DSD 5.6 MHz using the Merging Horus/Hapi In and the dCS Vivaldi Clock. All connections used in the process are made of OCC silver cable.

DSD 5,6 MHz was created using Merging Horus/Hapi A/D converter, calibrated to the required format, and a dCS Vivaldi clock.
2xHD was created by producer/studio owner André Perry and audiophile sound engineer René Laflamme.

Thanks to the Original customer!